[Early use of recombinant human erythropoietin promotes neurobehavioral development in preterm infants].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of the early use of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhu-EPO) on neurobehavioral development in preterm infants.


METHODS
Forty-four preterm infants (30 males and 14 females) were randomly divided into two groups: Rhu-EPO treatment and untreated control (n=22 each). From postnatal day 7, the Rhu-EPO treatment group received intravenous rhu-EPO (250 IU/kg3 times weekly) for 4 weeks. A Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment (NBNA) was performed at 40 weeks of corrected gestational age. A Gesell Development Schedule was used to evaluate neurological development 6 and 12 months after birth.


RESULTS
The NBNA score in the rhu-EPO treatment group (36.20+/-0.75) was significantly higher than that in the control group (34.40+/-1.05) at 40 weeks of corrected gestational age (P<0.05). The developmental quotient of fine motor in the rhu-EPO treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group 6 months after birth (P<0.05). By 12 months after birth, the developmental quotient of gross motor, fine motor and language in the rhu-EPO treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Early use of Rhu-EPO can promote neurobehavioral development in preterm infants.
He
Jin-Shui
JS
Department of Neonatology, Zhangzhou Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Zhangzhou, Fujian 363000, China. xiaolonghe99@hotmail.com
Huang
Zhong-Ling
ZL
Yang
Hong
H
Weng
Kai-Zhi
KZ
Zhu
Shao-Bo
SB
D000740:Anemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin